3/27/12 – St. Clair County Introduces Free Prescription Drug Discount Program

Belleville, Ill., March 27, 2012… In an effort to reduce the cost of prescription medication for county residents, St. Clair County and ProAct Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company, have teamed up to offer a new, free prescription drug discount program. The program, designed for residents that do not have insurance or for medications not covered by their current insurance program, will cover all prescription medications at a discounted rate at no cost to the county or residents. The announcement was made at a press conference held today at the St. Clair County Building. St. Clair County is the first county in the state of Illinois to team up with ProAct to offer the program, joining 65 counties in seven states across the country in providing this important benefit to their residents.

“We routinely hear about people who are forced to make choices between medication and food because they simply can’t afford both,” said Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman. “Through this new discount program, we can help to make prescription drugs more affordable for all residents of St. Clair County, but it will be of particular benefit to our underserved and uninsured populations, so they can allocate more of their hard-earned money to other basic needs.”

Beginning this week, ProAct will mail prescription discount cards to every household in St. Clair County to ensure that any resident in need of prescription drug financial relief may benefit from this discount program. The discount card covers all prescription medications, name brand or generic. The cards cannot be used in conjunction with any other type of insurance or to discount co-pays. Residents who currently have insurance can use the card in the event that a particular drug is not covered under their current insurance plan. Residents can begin using their discount cards as soon as they are received.

Because the cards will be mailed to every county household, it is critical that people are informed and aware that the cards are coming so when they receive them, they recognize they are not junk mail, but rather an important discount opportunity that should be kept for their use. Various county agencies and municipalities will also receive a supply of cards for distribution to residents. One card can be used for the entire family.

ProAct is accepted at most St. Clair County pharmacies and can be used nationwide at any of more than 55,000 participating pharmacies. Participants can expect to save, on average, 10 to 20 percent on brand name drugs and 20 to 70 percent on generics – at no cost to the county or participants.  Pet medication is also covered, but needs to be filled at one of ProAct’s participating pharmacies. Discounts also are available on vision, Lasik and hearing services.

We’ve been collaborating with ProAct for several months to bring this benefit to the people of St. Clair County,” noted Kern. “We urge all county residents to keep an eye out for their card in this week’s mail and to put it straight into their wallets so they have it when it’s needed.”

For more information, including a listing of participating pharmacies, ProAct can be reached toll-free at 877-776-2285 or by visiting www.ProActRxSavings.com. Should residents overlook the hard copy that is mailed to them, additional cards will be available at the St. Clair County Board Office, located at 10 Public Square in Belleville, Ill. (5th floor), and at the St. Clair County Health Department, located at 19 Public Square in Belleville, Ill.

For more information, contact:

Julie Hauser, The Hauser Group, (314) 436-9090